Microstructural Engineering and Mechanical Properties of Nickel-Based Superalloys
Summary
Nickel-based superalloys are indispensable in high-temperature applications such as aero-engine turbine discs and industrial gas turbines owing to their exceptional combination of strength, creep resistance and corrosion stability. Central to their performance is the precise control of microstructure through alloy composition, thermal processing and advanced manufacturing methods. A gamma matrix (γ) strengthened by coherent gamma prime (γ′, Ni3Al) and gamma double prime (γ″, Ni3Nb) precipitates provides the principal strengthening mechanism. Secondary phases such as carbides and Laves intermetallics further influence grain boundary stability and creep resistance, while topologically close-packed (TCP) phases may degrade mechanical properties if uncontrolled. Microstructural engineering encompasses tailored heat treatments, novel alloy design and additive manufacturing strategies to optimise precipitate morphology, size and distribution. Such control underpins improvements in yield strength, fatigue life and high-temperature ductility. Recent advances leverage in situ characterisation and computational thermodynamics to predict phase evolution and guide process design. Together these developments extend the operational envelope of nickel-based superalloys, with global significance for energy efficiency and emissions reductions in power generation and aviation.
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Microstructural Engineering and Mechanical Properties of Nickel-Based Superalloys publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microstructural engineering and mechanical properties of nickel-based superalloys across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Gamma matrix (γ): Face-centred cubic nickel solid solution forming the primary phase.
Gamma prime (γ′): Coherent Ni₃Al precipitate that impedes dislocation motion and provides high-temperature strength.
Gamma double prime (γ″): Metastable Ni₃Nb phase offering significant strengthening through coherent lattice distortion.
Laves phase: Intermetallic Ni–Nb compound that can strengthen or embrittle grain boundaries depending on morphology.
Directed energy deposition (DED): Additive manufacturing technique where feedstock is melted by an energy source to build complex geometries.
Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF): Additive process that selectively fuses powder layers using a high-power laser to fabricate intricate components.
Residual stress: Stress retained in a component after manufacturing or thermal treatment, affecting dimensional stability and fatigue life.
Solvus temperature: The temperature above which a particular phase (e.g. γ′ or γ″) dissolves completely into the matrix.
References
- Thermal cycling effects on the local microstructure and mechanical properties in wire-based directed energy deposition of nickel-based superalloy. Additive Manufacturing (2024).
- On the residual stress relaxation in Inconel 718 superalloys at high temperature by real-time neutron diffraction. Materials & Design (2023).
- On the origin of thermal dependence of 3D printed Inconel 718: Roles of atom clustering. Applied Materials Today (2024).
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